REPORT: SC BRAGA U19s 1-1 TOWN U19s

- Huddersfield Town Under-19s draw with SC Braga- Captain Scott High opens the scoring from the penalty spot- Portuguese hosts level the score-line late on

Mark Hudson’s Town Under-19 side drew with hosts SC Braga in the first of two games during a week-long stay in Portugal on Monday evening.

Playing against a side unbeaten in the domestic National Championship so far this season, Hudson’s young charges showed fantastic togetherness and a willingness to showcase the ‘Terriers Identity’ and richly deserved the 1-1 draw.

There were several other good news stories for the Academy too.

England Under-17 international Matty Daly started his first game since picking up injury with David Wagner’s First Team in pre-season, whilst fellow midfielder Dom Tear made a late appearance as a substitute as his return from a long-term injury continues.

There was also a first start at Under-19 level for 16-year-old winger Jaheim Headley, whilst his teammate from the Under-17 side, Tom Bell, also played a part.

Hudson’s side started the game well, controlling the opening stages through good possession. Daly soon slipped Ben Jackson in with a superb pass early on, only for his shot to be blocked well by a defender.

Next left back Mason O’Malley, 17, took aim with a 25-yard free-kick that would have looped in via a slight deflection were it not for good reactions from the Braga goalkeeper.

Braga rarely threatened in the goalless first-half, played in sunny conditions, but seven substitutions at the interval led to a change in impetus in the second-half.

Town ‘keeper Luke Mewitt soon had to cover a shot from distance that hit the outside of the side netting before the home side came as close as either team to breaking the deadlock with a back-post header that shaved the post.

The game started to go from end-to-end as Mewitt produced a smart save down low near the hour mark, holding onto the ball well as strikers circled for the rebound.

Mewitt was in impressive form for the Terriers and produced a great double-save to deny Braga’s forwards when a free-kick was floated into the area for them, but in any case, Town’s high defensive line had caught the opposition offside.

One of Hudson’s second-half substitutions allowed full-back Jackson to push up to a wing position and that led to the breakthrough in the 73rd minute. Jackson’s power and athleticism saw the 17-year-old burst into the Braga area and he was brought down by a defender. Up stepped captain Scott High and the midfielder made no mistake, dispatching the ball into the top corner from the penalty spot to give his side the lead.

The game really opened up at this stage. First Mewitt was needed to make a save to his left and then Jackson flashed a cross-come-shot across the face of goal.

Mewitt soon pushed another shot away, but sadly he could do nothing when the Portuguese side did equalise with seven minutes left; a striker breaking clear of Town’s defence and beating the goalkeeper to the ball to toe it home.

Highlights from the game will appear on #HTTV this week, with Hudson’s side back in action over in Portugal against Spanish side Celta Vigo on Wednesday.